17.08.2026 22:10
After the ruling alliance candidate Asuman Şen won the acting mayor election in Menderes with 15 votes, a harsh reaction came from CHP Izmir Provincial Chairman Utku Gümrükçü to the NEW Party. Gümrükçü, who argued that no votes were requested from CHP during the election process, responded to the criticisms directed at them with the words, 'We are being accused of not voting for people who do not ask us for votes. Get used to losing elections.'
CHP Izmir Provincial Chairman Utku Gümrükçü harshly criticized the NEW Party after the Menderes Deputy Mayor election concluded with the victory of the Cumhur Alliance candidate Asuman Şen. Gümrükçü said, "We are being accused of not voting for people who did not ask us for votes. Get used to losing elections."
CUMHUR ALLIANCE CANDIDATE WON
After Mayor İlkay Çiçek was arrested and suspended from duty in the Menderes district of Izmir, the Municipal Council convened for an extraordinary session. In the election held to determine the deputy mayor, the required majority could not be achieved in the first three rounds, but in the final round, the Cumhur Alliance candidate Asuman Şen received 15 votes and was elected deputy mayor.
Following the election, CHP Izmir Provincial Chairman Utku Gümrükçü made evaluations about the process at a press conference. Gümrükçü made harsh statements, especially regarding the contacts with the NEW Party before the election and the claims that votes were requested from CHP.
"WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN MENDERES"
Gümrükçü argued that the candidate selection process in Menderes cannot be evaluated independently of choices made in the past.
Saying, "I did not determine the mayoral candidate, council members, AKP's candidate, NEW Party's candidate, or CHP's candidate in Menderes," Gümrükçü claimed that the administrators who took office after the 2023 congress made wrong choices in some districts.
Gümrükçü stated, "Without adhering to any specific rule or principle, they made wrong choices in many districts, and we are currently paying the price for these. Today, the people of Menderes are paying."
"ACTION WAS TAKEN AGAINST THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE"
Noting that political parties can form different alliances during election periods, Gümrükçü said CHP members are not obliged to support candidates of other parties.
Gümrükçü argued that the responsibility for the process in Menderes lies with individuals who served in the previous term and later acted under the umbrella of another political party, stating, "Turning back from a mistake is always beneficial. We said, come and support these friends."
Gümrükçü also criticized the political parties in the council for not supporting CHP's candidate, claiming this was contrary to the will of the voters.
"NO ONE ASKED US FOR VOTES"
Stating that no institutional meeting was held between the NEW Party or AK Party and CHP before the election, Gümrükçü said no direct request for votes was made to them.
Gümrükçü said, "For about eight days, no institutional meeting like 'You support me' has been held with the NEW Party or AKP."
Claiming that NEW Party Izmir Provincial Chairman Çağatay Güç contacted CHP council members without the knowledge of the CHP administration, Gümrükçü stated that a meeting lasting approximately 45 minutes was later held regarding the candidacy of CHP's candidate Mehmet Ali Akar.
"MY CALLS AND MESSAGE WERE NOT RETURNED"
Gümrükçü said that one day before the election, he wanted to contact NEW Party Deputy Chairman Yaşar Tüzün, then reached a party official named Evrim, but no response was given to him.
Gümrükçü stated, "Yesterday evening at 19:09, I sent a message to Mr. Evrim and asked him to get back to me when available. Even that message was not responded to."
After this development, Gümrükçü said CHP decided to determine its own candidate, emphasizing that they did not bargain for votes with any political party's council members and did not try to pull any council members to their side.
"WE KNEW WE COULDN'T GO TO THE 4TH ROUND"
Criticizing the NEW Party's statements about the third and fourth rounds, Gümrükçü said they knew CHP could not advance to the fourth round due to its number of seats in the council.
Criticizing the announcement of the statement "If CHP's candidate remains in the 3rd round, we will vote for him in the 4th round" as if it were an agreement, Gümrükçü said, "Announcing this as if it were an agreement is political immorality."
"KILIÇDAROĞLU SAID TO VOTE FOR NEW PARTY MEMBERS"
Also speaking about their departure from the council chamber, Gümrükçü argued that the process was not conducted properly.
Gümrükçü stated that during the meetings held in CHP's group room, it was conveyed to him that former CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu instructed to vote for NEW Party members.
Gümrükçü stated, "Then Müslim Sarı called. He conveyed that 'Sayın Genel Başkanı Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu said to vote for NEW Party members.'"
"YOU CANNOT BILL ME FOR YOUR MISTAKE"
Arguing that the responsibility for the election result in Menderes cannot be placed on CHP, Gümrükçü intensified his criticism towards the NEW Party.
Saying, "I am not going to pay the bill just because you lost the election," Gümrükçü said a political party that did not request votes from CHP cannot hold CHP responsible for its failure in the election result.
Gümrükçü stated, "You are the one who lost the election, not me. You are responsible for the current situation."
"GET USED TO LOSING ELECTIONS"
Gümrükçü also reacted to the criticism directed at them that "CHP did not vote."
Using the words, "They say CHP did not vote for us. How do you know?" Gümrükçü said it is impossible to know the reasons of all voters who did not vote for CHP's candidate.
Continuing his statement, Gümrükçü said, "We are being accused of not voting for people who did not ask us for votes. You will nominate the candidate, and when you lose, you will bill me. Get used to losing elections."
"WE WILL RECAPTURE MENDERES IN THE FIRST ELECTION"
Arguing that the Menderes Municipality will return to CHP administration, Gümrükçü pointed to the upcoming elections.
Stating that the process in Menderes is not a defeat for CHP but a restructuring process, Gümrükçü said, "We will stand against any injustice in Menderes."
Gümrükçü stated, "I promise, in the first election, CHP will win the Menderes Municipality again."
"CHP IS NO ONE'S COALITION PARTNER"
Emphasizing that CHP is a political party that makes its own decisions independently, Gümrükçü said possible collaborations with different parties should also be conducted within the framework of certain rules.
Saying, "CHP is no one's coalition partner," Gümrükçü stated that if an agreement is to be reached between political parties, it should be discussed in authorized bodies.
Gümrükçü argued that the process in Menderes serves as a lesson for other elections, stating, "Politics is not a place for producing excuses or telling pretexts."
At the end of his remarks, the CHP İzmir Provincial Chairman noted that they will resume work in Menderes after the 2.5-year transition period, reiterating their goal of bringing all municipalities in İzmir under CHP administration.